“Joanna Violence” is taking the high road.
In what might be one of the most random beefs … possibly ever, former Strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk has issued a statement about her heated run-in with
former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 323 this past Saturday (details here).
Details about what actually sparked the confrontation are still murky. The leading rumor is that Hill and his wife were talking trash about Jedrzejczyk’s fellow countryman, Jan Blachowicz, who fought to a draw in the pay-per-view (PPV) opener — but nothing has been confirmed.
Whatever the cause, things escalated fast. Hill threatened Jedrzejczyk, saying, “I’ll knock you the f—k out. If you touch my girl, I’m gonna knock you the f—k out.”
“Yeah? You will?” Jedrzejczyk fired back, before Hill punctuated the moment with: “Period.”
Security intervened, restraining Jedrzejczyk and separating the two former champions.
Jedrzejczyk later posted a video on Instagram addressing the situation.
“I worked so hard to earn my reputation, and I am embarrassed to be in this situation. But when somebody uses my name, falsely, without any basis in truth, I will always stand up for myself, and for that, I do not deserve to be threatened,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I am mindful that I am a strong, capable woman who has the benefit of a lifetime of self-defense training. I have a platform and resources that most women don’t have. So I empathize with the women who are disrespected and threatened, and lack the power and means to stand up for themselves. And to stand up for the truth.”
She continued: “I expect more from each of us as individuals and as a society, and I certainly expect more from athletes in our sport — especially former champions. I want to thank the UFC security and staff for their professionalism. I consider this matter closed, and wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!”
Hill has yet to issue a statement, but it’s hard to imagine he stays quiet for long.
Jedrzejczyk has been retired since 2022, when she was knocked out by Weili Zhang at UFC 275 (watch highlights)… though judging by Saturday night, she may have briefly un-retired in spirit.
